Cleaning element and cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cleaning element comprises a plurality of water-absorbing strips, each having a large water-absorbing surface made up of front, rear, left right surfaces for wiping a large floor area, a holding plate for holding the water-absorbing strips on inner ends thereof, and reinforcing seams, longitudinally running along the water-absorbing strips, for high mechanical strength and an enhanced lifetime. A cleaning apparatus, used in conjunction with the cleaning element, further comprises a rod and a bearing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning element and a cleaning apparatus, particularly to a cleaning element for wiping a floor made of water-absorbent material in several strips with reinforcing seams, and a cleaning apparatus to be used in conjunction therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For cleaning floors, usually a mop is used, so as to avoid having to kneel down on the ground. A mop generally has a rod, a bearing and a cleaning element consisting of several cloth strips. However, wringing dry the cleaning element is hard, and the cleaning element during use often becomes detached from the rod. Therefore, cleaning elements made of water-absorbent material, like PVA, have appeared on the market to enhance absorbability and easy wringing and thus save time and physical effort. Mechanical strength of conventional water-absorbent material, however, is deficient. In the shape of an elongated cylinder, the cleaning element easily breaks after periods of non-usage and has to be soaked with water to be flexible and water-absorbent again. Furthermore, a contact surface of the cleaning element to a floor to be cleaned is small, so that frequent soaking, cleaning and wringing are required, which is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning element which does not become easily detached during use, does not easily break and has a long lifetime and a cleaning apparatus used in conjunction therewith.

It is another object of the invention to provide cleaning element with an increased contact surface to a floor to be wiped and a cleaning apparatus used in conjunction therewith.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning element of the present invention in conjunction with a rod and a bearing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning element of the present invention when disassembled.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cleaning element of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cleaning element of the present invention in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cleaning element of the present invention in the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cleaning element of the present invention in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cleaning element of the present invention in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaning element of the present invention in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning element of the present invention in conjunction with a bearing.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bearing of the present invention in a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is a cleaning element 4, used in conjunction with a rod 3 and a bearing 2 and comprising: a holding plate 40; a plurality of water-absorbent strips 43; and a plurality of reinforcing seams 5. The water-absorbent strips 43 each have an inner end held by the holding plate 40 and a front surface 431, a rear surface 432 as well as left and right surfaces 433, so that a large water-absorbent surface results. The reinforcing seams 5 strengthen the water-absorbent strips 43, preventing breaking thereof. The holding plate 40 is fastened to the bearing 2, and the bearing 2 is mounted on a lower end of the rod 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water-absorbent strips 43 are made of PVA, natural sponge, plastics or unweaved cloth and enter in an overlapping arrangement the holding plate 40 from one side to be held thereby. When the holding plate 40 is fastened to the bearing 3, the water-absorbent strips 43 hang down therefrom. The front, rear, left and right surfaces 431, 432, 433 of the water-absorbent strips 43 form large absorbing surfaces, allowing to clean large floor areas efficiently. Each of the water-absorbent strips 43 has at least one reinforcing seam 5 for better mechanical strength.

Each reinforcing seam is made of nylon fiber or polyester fiber and attached longitudinally to one of the water-absorbent strips 43, providing high mechanical strength and thus a high lifetime thereto.

The bearing 2 comprises: a fastening piece 21, having an upper tube 22 and a lower chamber 23; and a fastening plate 24. The upper tube 21 is connected with the lower end of the rod 3. The lower chamber 23 has several threaded holes 25, allowing to fasten the fastening plate 24 thereto from below. The fastening plate 24 has several holes 26, accommodating bolts 29 for fastening the fastening piece 21, the holding plate 40 and the fastening plate 24 together. The fastening plate 24 is further provided with a plurality of cone-shaped upward projections 28 to prevent the water-absorbent strips 43 from becoming detached from the holding plate 40. The bolts 29 pass through the holes 26 of the fastening plate 24 and through the threaded holes 25 of the lower chamber 23 of the fastening piece 21, resulting in the holding plate 40 entering the lower chamber 23 and to be held there.

Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention in a second embodiment has water-absorbent strips 43 a which enter in a parallel arrangement the holding plate 40 from two opposite sides, so that a higher wiping surface thereof results.

Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention in a third embodiment has water-absorbent strips 43 b which each have at least two parts held together by a reinforcing seam 5 for increased mechanical strength.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the present invention in fourth and fifth embodiments provides an even a larger wiping surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention in a fourth embodiment is a cleaning element 4 c which comprises a plurality of water-absorbent strips 4, entering the holding plate 40 from one side, with a transverse reinforcing seam 56 running across the strips 4 close to the holding plate 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the present invention in a fifth embodiment is a cleaning element 4 d which comprises a plurality of water-absorbent strips 4, entering a connecting part 41 of the holding plate 40 from two opposite sides, with a transverse reinforcing seam 57 running across the strips 4 close to the holding plate 40.

Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention in a sixth embodiment has water-absorbent strips 43 d which each have two or more reinforcing seams 5 for increased mechanical strength.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the present invention in a further embodiment has a bearing 2 a which comprises: a fastening piece 21 a, having an upper tube 22 a and a lower chamber 23 a; and a fastening plate 24 a. The upper tube 21 a is connected with the lower end of the rod 3. The lower chamber 23 a is roughly shaped like an oval and has several holes 25 a, each having a relatively wide upper section and a relatively narrow lower section 27 a. The fastening plate 24 a is roughly shaped like an oval and is fastened to the fastening piece 21 a, with the holding plate 40 entering the lower chamber 23 a of the fastening piece 21 a. The fastening plate 24 a has a plurality of upward projections 28 a and several fixing elements 61, projecting upward. Each of the fixing elements 61 has a far end with a transverse gap 69, so that an elastically compressible blocking head 63 is formed. For each fixing element 61, the blocking head 63 has a blocking part 67 and a tapered front part 65. For each of the fixing elements 61 of the fastening plate 24 a, if the blocking head 63 thereof enters one of the holes 25 a of the lower chamber 23 a, the tapered front parts 65 are pressed together, passing through the relatively narrow lower section 27 a. Having passed through the lower section 27 a, the blocking heads 63 widen, and the blocking part 67 prevents the fastening plate 24 a from falling off the fastening piece 21 a, allowing the holding plate 40 to be held in between. 

1. A cleaning element, comprising: a holding plate; a plurality of water-absorbent strips, each having a front, rear, left and right surface, which together form a large water-absorbent surface, and each, at an inner end thereof, entering said holding plate; and a plurality of reinforcing seams, respectively longitudinally running along said water-absorbent strips.
 2. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein said water-absorbent strips enter said holding plate from two opposite sides thereof.
 3. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein said holding plate and said water-absorbent strips form an integrated body.
 4. The cleaning element of claim 2, wherein said holding plate and said water-absorbent strips form an integrated body.
 5. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein said holding plate has at least one reinforcing seam.
 6. The cleaning element of claim 2, wherein said holding plate has at least one reinforcing seam.
 7. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein said holding plate comprises a plurality of overlapping parts, so that said water-absorbent strips overlap.
 8. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein each of said water-absorbent strips has at least two parts held together by a reinforcing seam.
 9. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein each of said water-absorbent strips has at least two reinforcing seams.
 10. The cleaning element of claim 1, wherein each of said water-absorbent strips is made of PVA, natural sponge, plastics or unweaved cloth.
 11. A cleaning element, comprising: a holding plate, forming an integrated body; a plurality of water-absorbent strips, each having a front, rear, left and right surface, which together form a large water-absorbent surface, and each, at an inner end thereof, entering said holding plate; and a plurality of reinforcing seams, respectively longitudinally running along said water-absorbent strips.
 12. A cleaning element, comprising: a holding plate, having a separate connecting part; a plurality of water-absorbent strips, each having a front, rear, left and right surface, which together form a large water-absorbent surface, and each, at an inner end thereof, entering said connecting part of said holding plate; and a plurality of reinforcing seams, respectively longitudinally running along said water-absorbent strips.
 13. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a rod; a bearing, mounted on a lower end of said rod; a cleaning element, fastened to said bearing and further comprising a holding plate, forming an integrated body, a plurality of water-absorbent strips, each having a front, rear, left and right surface, which together form a large water-absorbent surface, and each, at an inner end thereof, entering said holding plate, and a plurality of reinforcing seams, respectively longitudinally running along said water-absorbent strips.
 14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein said bearing further comprises a fastening piece, having an upper tube, which is fastened to said lower end of said rod, and a lower chamber, accommodating said holding plate and having a plurality of threaded holes, and a fastening plate, having a plurality of cone-shaped upward projections and a plurality of holes through which bolts pass that engage with said threaded holes, so that said fastening plate and said fastening piece are fastened together, allowing to hold said holding plate in between.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein said bearing further comprises a fastening piece, having an upper tube, which is fastened to said lower end of said rod, and a lower chamber, accommodating said holding plate and having a plurality of holes with relatively narrow lower sections, and a fastening plate, having a plurality of cone-shaped upward projections and a plurality of upward pointing fixing elements, each of said fixing elements having a relatively wide blocking head which is elastically compressible by being split by a transverse gap, has a tapered end and a blocking part, so that each of said fixing elements easily enters one of said holes and is held there, allowing to fasten said fastening plate and said fastening piece together and to hold said holding plate in between. 